Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Grace: Unwelcome Advances

I have to leave the pack.

This realization is a long time coming, but when I wake up to Rafe's face staring down at me, in the relative safety of my own room, it's a decision made for me.

I'm not safe anywhere. Not even where I sleep.

"Don't shout," he whispers, placing a hand over my mouth.

I wasn't going to, anyway. No one would come to my aid here.

My nod seems to relieve him, because he lets me go and sits on my bed without asking for permission.

I sit up, my fingers clutching the blanket and pulling it over my chest. The thin fabric offers little protection, but it's all I have against Rafe's piercing blue gaze. I'm still wearing my clothes from yesterday, but being in my bed—in my room—leaves me feeling vulnerable.

My heart pounds, a traitorous rhythm that threatens to betray my resolve.

"What are you doing here?"

Rafe's sun-bright hair catches the dim light, a halo around his perfect features. His blue eyes, once a source of comfort, now make my stomach twist.

All I can see is how he dumped me for Ellie the moment he realized they were mates.

"How are you doing, Grace?"

His hand reaches for mine. I flinch away, pressing myself against the headboard.

"What are you doing here?" The words come out sharper this time.

Rafe's shoulders slump, and he runs a hand through his hair, mussing the perfect strands. "I'm worried about you."

A harsh laugh escapes my lips before I can stop it. "That's rich."

"I mean it, Grace. I care about you."

"You have a funny way of showing it."

His sad facade fades as his jaw clenches. There's a tick beneath his skin, a twitching that only serves to remind me he's changed. Like a personality transplant. Or, worse—I never knew him at all. "It's complicated."

"No, it's not. You chose her. You made that perfectly clear."

lack of

off, wishing my words came out with more scorn and less trembling. "I don't want to hear about your precious

earth and everything I once called home. "Grace,

heavy and undeniable. Making me sound way

time I let him take my hand. His touch sends

miss you," he

Let myself imagine a world where we could go back to the way things were. But then I remember Ellie's cruel smile. His indifference in the forest, when I

You don't get to come in here and act

a deep breath, visibly trying to calm himself. "I know things

so fucking pathetic for this situation, leaving me with no way to express how I feel. So I laugh. A brittle, sharp, broken sound. "Like

face twists into something ugly, before it smooths out again. He leans forward, grabbing my hand and holding

it, do you?" I shake my head, disbelief coursing through me. "It's not just about how Ellie treats me. It's about how you let her treat me. How you stand by and watch while I'm

my mate, Grace. You

I demand, anger finally overtaking the hurt. "What do you want

hand cups my cheek, and I hate the way I lean into

let him kiss me, to pretend that

I hate him.

miss him. So

my everything. I dreamed of a future with him.

away, scrambling out of bed. "Get

"Grace—"

beneath me. The temptation of the familiar is terrifying. "You don't get to have both of us. You made your choice, Rafe. Now

found so attractive now feeling oppressive. "You're mine, Grace. You've

I'm not. I'm human, remember?

for control.

"You're just angry with me. It's okay, Gracie.

brushing it against my jaw in a

is not the

this. He cared about my feelings. My thoughts. He wanted me to be true to myself. He loved me for

didn't ever claim to

just want to be left alone. If Ellie finds out you're

lips. "We'll keep it quiet. I

she's not

anger darkening his eyes, even as his hand strokes my cheek in a gentle caress. "It's okay, Gracie. I'll make it okay. We can still be together

his lips against my hand, in soft, sensual kisses that only make

But I'm going to get you back.

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